Job Description:
Senior Test Engineer
Onsite: Mesa, AZ with Travel
Nextpower is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to lead the development, deployment, and continuous improvement of manufacturing test systems for high-power electronic and power conversion products. This role ensures inverter products meet established performance, safety, quality, and reliability requirements prior to shipment.
As a senior individual contributor, this position will independently solve complex manufacturing test challenges, establish test methods and procedures, and provide technical guidance across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and contract manufacturing teams. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in automated testing and high-power electronics, with experience in grid-scale power conversion systems strongly preferred.
**Key Responsibilities**
- Develop, implement, and optimize end-of-line (EOL) manufacturing test systems for inverter and power conversion products.
- Serve as a technical subject matter expert for manufacturing test, providing guidance and solutions for complex test and production issues.
- Define test strategies, methods, procedures, and acceptance criteria for new and existing products.
- Validate and qualify automated test equipment (ATE) and test processes prior to deployment into production.
- Evaluate test coverage and develop solutions to improve defect detection, product quality, and manufacturing reliability.
- Lead analysis and root-cause troubleshooting of complex production failures involving product hardware, software, test equipment, and manufacturing processes.
- Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing test software, automated test sequences, and associated test infrastructure.
- Analyze test data and production trends to identify systemic issues, reduce false failures, improve first-pass yield, and increase test efficiency.
- Support NPI, factory commissioning, production ramp, and transfer of test systems into manufacturing environments.
- Act as a senior escalation resource for contract manufacturers (CMs), guiding troubleshooting and resolution of complex test equipment and production issues.
- Partner across Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, Reliability, and external manufacturing organizations to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Evaluate and adapt existing test methodologies while developing new approaches for complex or emerging manufacturing requirements.
- Develop and maintain test specifications, procedures, technical documentation, and troubleshooting standards.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and other team members as needed.
**Qualifications**
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing test engineering, test automation, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Advanced experience developing, validating, and supporting automated test systems in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience testing high-power electronics and power conversion systems.
- Strong knowledge of electrical test methods, instrumentation, automated test equipment, data acquisition, and failure analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical, hardware, software, and manufacturing test issues.
- Experience developing or maintaining manufacturing test software and automated test sequences.
- Ability to analyze complex technical data, evaluate multiple variables, and determine appropriate methods and solutions.
- Experience working across engineering disciplines and influencing technical decisions without direct authority.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to advise internal and external stakeholders on complex technical matters.
**Preferred Qualifications**
- Experience with grid-scale power conversion, inverters, renewable energy systems, or similar high-power electrical products.
- Experience supporting manufacturing test systems throughout NPI, factory commissioning, production ramp, and high-volume manufacturing.
- Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and serving as a technical escalation point for production test issues.
- Experience developing new test methodologies or significantly improving existing test processes.
- Demonstrated success improving test coverage, reducing false failures, increasing first-pass yield, or improving manufacturing test efficiency.
At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.
Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
**We are Nextpower**